protest/protest against

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John of Aix - 16 May 2007 22:15 GMT

It struck me ub readin a UK article this evening that, these days, to
say 'protest against' is somewhat tautological (or similar) for a prtest
is alawys 'against' somethin, in which case the version often used in
the USA, simply 'protest' (as a verb) is more logical even though as an
Engishman, it bothers me.

Any comments anyone?

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Tony Mountifield - 16 May 2007 23:12 GMT

> It struck me ub readin a UK article this evening that, these days, to
> say 'protest against' is somewhat tautological (or similar) for a prtest
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Any comments anyone?

I'm sure there are other verbs that only take one particular preposition
as part of their standard form, without being considered tautological.

But there is a big difference between someone protesting their innocence
and someone protesting against their innocence.

Cheers
Tony

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Tony Mountifield
Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk
Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org

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Peter Duncanson - 16 May 2007 23:35 GMT

>It struck me ub readin a UK article this evening that, these days, to
>say 'protest against' is somewhat tautological (or similar) for a prtest
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Any comments anyone?

The meaning keeps changing!
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=protest

protest
1340 (implied in protestation) "solemn declaration," from L.
protestari "declare publicly, testify, protest," from pro-
"forth, before" + testari "testify," from testis "witness" (see
testament). Original sense preserved in to protest one's
innocence. Meaning "statement of disapproval" first recorded
1751; that of "expressing of dissent from, or rejection of,
prevailing mores" is from 1953, in ref. to U.S. black civil
rights movement. The verb is attested from 1440, "to declare or
state formally or solemnly," from O.Fr. protester. First record
of protest march is from 1959. Protester "demonstrator, public
opponent of the established order" is from 1960.

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Peter Duncanson, UK
(in uk.culture.language.english)

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Mark Wallace - 17 May 2007 11:03 GMT

> It struck me ub readin a UK article this evening that, these days, to say
> 'protest against' is somewhat tautological (or similar) for a prtest is
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Any comments anyone?

Yes. I protest in favour of an opposing view.

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Discussion Groups / British English / May 2007

protest/protest against